Chapter Fifteen
Back in her room, the Fifth Princess hugged the Fourth Princess, "Sister, why, why is this happening? Why aren't you sad at all, sister? Don't you hate her?"
The Fourth Princess patted the Fifth Princess on the back. Although it was somewhat cruel to let such a young child see things clearly, it was something that had to be done. She was selfish; she didn't want to be implicated by Ziwei and the others. She wanted to live a long and healthy life, not be burdened by any kind of "I will never part from you until the mountains crumble and the heavens and earth unite" kind of love. "It's not that I'm not sad, it's just that I've seen through it all."
"The older sister has always been clever, yet she watched her younger sister suffer."
"What would my sister think if I said something bad about her?"
Fifth Princess recalled her time in Jinan. When her elder sister criticized their mother, although she sided with her, she still harbored some resentment. It wasn't until she entered the palace and learned about the many rules that she realized her sister truly cared for her. "Sister, I was wrong!" From now on, she would learn from her sister, be smarter, and always observe things carefully before speaking. "My sister told me to observe those people, and I observed them carefully. I found that they really did have some subtle tricks..." Fifth Princess recounted her discovery, while Fourth Princess only smiled and remained silent.
~~~
The Empress noticed that the Fifth Princess had become increasingly dependent on her since that day, even sharing some of her little secrets with her. The Empress was puzzled by the Fifth Princess's change, but also pleased, as no one wants to raise an ungrateful child.
That night, the Emperor allowed Lady Irgen Gioro to spend the night with him in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The next day, he bestowed upon her the title of Noble Lady and decreed that she reside in the main hall. The concubines in the harem were all astonished. Who was this Noble Lady Yun? How could the Emperor grant such a place, which had been unoccupied since the death of Imperial Noble Consort Huixian, to a mere Noble Lady, and even grant her the main hall?
The Empress Dowager, upon learning who it was, merely snorted coldly. The Empress didn't even blink. Although she felt somewhat distressed, compared to Consort Ling... the Empress felt better. Consort Ling, you are no longer an exception in the palace. What do you have to be proud of?
Consort Ling wrung out her handkerchief; she had lost an opportunity to use her methods. Consort Ling's eyes darted around. "Winter Plum, Winter Snow, help me change my clothes. I want to see this Noble Lady Yun."
Consort Jia and Consort Chun somewhat understood that the Empress was about to make her move, but they were also anxious. There were only two Consorts; unless one was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort or demoted to Consort, it was impossible for the other to rise in rank. The Empress meant that since the Emperor hadn't mentioned promoting her to Imperial Noble Consort, if Consort Ling wanted to rise, one of them would have to be... Having entered the palace together from the same residence, they would rather cooperate to suppress Consort Ling than risk either of them being in danger. They pondered this deeply and decided to simultaneously win over Consort Yun.
At the Chang'an Gate, Consort Jia and Consort Chun met, exchanged a knowing smile, and flattered each other briefly. Both guessed the other's thoughts and said nothing more. Years of interaction had taught them both of their personalities. Based on their understanding of the Empress, she was not one to resort to trickery; even her ascension to the throne was orchestrated by the Empress Dowager, firstly because the Empress was the late Emperor's chosen secondary consort, and secondly because of her status. The straightforward Empress despised scheming, and her words that day reflected her true feelings. The Empress also disliked Consort Ling; otherwise, why would she have spoken such words in front of all the other concubines? Consort Ling was probably even secretly pleased with herself!
The two entered the inner palace, where Consort Yun greeted them with impeccable manners. Upon seeing Consort Yun's appearance, both Consort Jia and Consort Chun were momentarily stunned. Suddenly, they realized...
Consort Ling arrived at Chang'an a step later than Consort Jia and Consort Chun. After paying her respects to the two consorts, Consort Ling secretly thought that she must give birth to a prince as soon as possible. She felt somewhat relieved when she saw Consort Yun paying her respects. Consort Yun was currently favored by the emperor, and Consort Ling dared not offend her. She quickly had someone help Consort Yun up, and only then did Consort Ling look at Consort Yun's face. Consort Ling was so shocked that she took two steps back. How could this be…
The old woman Xia, who was supporting Consort Yun, had been keeping an eye on Consort Ling; it must be her.
Consort Ling looked at Consort Yun's face, her heart churning. After saying only a few words, she excused herself and left the inner palace. Consort Jia and Consort Chun exchanged a glance; Consort Ling seemed quite concerned about Consort Yun's appearance. Consort Jia and Consort Chun chatted with Consort Yun for a few more minutes before leaving. Once outside the inner palace, they both headed towards Kunning Palace.
Back at Yanxi Palace, Consort Ling was still shaken. She took several heavy breaths, desperately trying to convince herself that the woman was dead and that this was the newly arrived Noble Lady, not that woman. But her unease continued to grow; Consort Ling felt that this Noble Lady Yun was there specifically to bring her misfortune.
"Your Majesty, Princess Xinyue requests an audience."
"I don't have time. Let her learn the proper etiquette before she comes to see me." Just as Consort Ling finished speaking, a voice called from outside the door...
"Your Highness and Kindness, I beg you, Your Highness, let me see Keshan! He is my only family."
Upon hearing "noble and benevolent," Consort Ling's face softened into a gentle smile. "Hurry up and invite Princess Xinyue in. How do you serve people? Do you want to be punished?" Little did Consort Ling know that she, who was used to sowing discord among others, was herself being sowed discord that very night.
~~~
In the long hall, Emperor Qianlong arrived in haste. Seeing Consort Yun sitting before the lamp embroidering mandarin ducks, he didn't have anyone sing as he entered. When Granny Xia saw her, she wanted to offer her greetings, but Qianlong waved her off. Granny Xia glanced at Consort Yun, wanting to offer a word of advice, but thinking that Consort Yun wouldn't say anything, she gave up.
"Granny, does Consort Ling dislike me?"
Granny Xia was taken aback and cautiously looked at Qianlong.
Emperor Qianlong frowned. He was certain that Consort Yun did not know he had entered. Consort Ling! Could it be that Consort Ling had come to Changsi to cause trouble? Qianlong gave Granny Xia a wink.
"Your Highness, how could that be? Consort Ling would not dislike Your Highness."
“Granny, there’s no need to comfort me. I can see it. Consort Jia and Consort Chun sent quite a few things over. I can tell that the two elder sisters didn’t come with any intention of showing off, but Consort Ling did. Although she smiled and spoke softly, every word she uttered was full of contempt. Granny, should I not have come to the palace?” Consort Yun put down the mandarin ducks she was embroidering. “Have I offended Consort Ling in some way?”
How could Granny Xia dare to say that she had offended anyone? "Your Highness is overthinking it. Your Highness has just entered the palace, how could she have offended anyone? Besides, Your Highness is so kind, how could she have any intention to harm anyone?"
Emperor Qianlong was very satisfied with Xia Mama's answer. "Who said that my Consort Yun is not? I will punish her."
Upon hearing the voice, Consort Yun immediately rose and greeted the Emperor. "Your Majesty, no one has spoken ill of this servant."
Emperor Qianlong helped Consort Yun to her feet, his gaze fixed on her frightened expression, and inwardly cursed Consort Ling. Who did she think she was? Did he need to consult her before bestowing honors upon anyone? He recalled Consort Ling's previous comments about this concubine, and how harsh the Empress was. Now, he thought, how could the Empress be harsh? She treated her three concubines, who weren't her own, like her own children; how could she possibly be harsh towards a mere concubine? This realization made Qianlong suspect that Consort Ling's previous words were an attempt to use his favor to eliminate those she disliked. A sudden chill ran through Qianlong. If he had listened to Consort Ling, she would likely hold absolute power in the harem now. And if she complained to him about how the Empress Dowager treated her poorly…
"Your Majesty..." Consort Yun leaned against Emperor Qianlong like a little bird, looking at him with a worried expression.
Emperor Qianlong patted Consort Yun's hand sadly, comforting himself in his heart. She was just a woman; he could simply stop favoring her. He still had the Empress, the Imperial Concubine, and Yuhe...
~~~~
The political landscape in the harem was just beginning to shift when the Emperor's most beloved Third Princess returned to the capital.
Princess Hejing entered the palace and couldn't help but sigh. She had almost forgotten what palace life was like. She didn't want to verify whether it was truly the Empress who had suggested to her father, the Emperor, that she be brought back to the palace for the New Year. She felt neither liking nor disliking the Empress, but… a small knot remained in her heart, and she wanted to use the Empress's help to find out the truth. Going to Cining Palace to pay her respects to her maternal grandmother, she saw two little girls. She had heard from her uncle in the capital that these two children were born to the Empress and had been secretly sent out of the palace by palace maids. It was only because a palace maid accidentally let slip that she learned that the Empress's children hadn't died, and were actually twin princesses.
"Greetings to Third Sister." Fourth and Fifth Princesses greeted each other politely. In Fifth Princess's heart, greeting her sister meant protecting her. She blinked her watery eyes and looked at He Jing.
Although Hejing had some doubts, in order to use the Empress's hand to investigate the matter, Hejing played the good guy and said, "I didn't know that my sister had been found and returned. I forgot to prepare a gift. These are some unique Mongolian toys, which I will give to my two sisters." Hejing had the trinkets he had prepared brought up.
The Empress Dowager, seated at the head of the table, nodded. As expected of a princess raised by Empress Xiaoxian, she knew what to say and what not to say, unlike... Thinking of Qing'er beside her, the Empress Dowager sighed that she had raised a thankless wretch.
"Grandma is still in good health. Her granddaughter in Mongolia thinks about her every day and wants to come back to the palace to see her."
"She's back now." The Empress Dowager felt a pang of sadness as she patted her granddaughter's hand. This was the fate of royal princesses; though it pained her…
"Third sister, is it cold in Mongolia?" The fourth and fifth princesses sat down next to the Empress Dowager and Hejing, respectively, taking up Qing'er's spot. Qing'er could only stand behind, wringing out her handkerchief. She knew in her heart that her status was not as high as that of a proper royal princess, but she still felt a pang of jealousy.
"It's not cold."
"Third sister, has anyone bullied you?" Fifth Princess was always concerned about this question.
He Jing was stunned for a moment. Who would dare to bully her? Even the nannies around her wouldn't dare. Every time the prince consort was summoned, it was the nannies who took the initiative. She was already very lucky. Who said she was being bullied? "No one has ever bullied me."
"That's good." Fifth Princess seemed relieved. "Third Sister doesn't know, Fourth Sister said that when the princess gets married, many wicked nannies prevent her from choosing a husband. Third Sister, what does 'choosing a husband' mean?"
Hejing blushed when Fifth Princess asked him a question, "You'll know when you get married."
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